By Tyler Dungannon, Conservation Coordinator / Jim Ward photo
OHA and ODFW funded the entirety of a Bridge Creek Wildlife Area project that will treat 512 acres of annual grasses through aerial Rejuvra (herbicide) applications. OHA funded $16,000 toward this project to cover the project cost. The goal of these treatments is to help improve winter range by restoring perennial grasses which should ultimately help retain elk on these public lands and reduce elk damage issues in the Gurdane area.
Mule deer will also benefit from this project.
Across the West, annual grass invasion is reducing the forage quality of once productive landscapes. Invasive ventenata (annual grass) is competing with native perennials on the wildlife area and reducing habitat quality for ungulates and other wildlife. Bridge Creek Wildlife Area and its associated rangelands are critical winter range for many elk in the Ukiah and Heppner units.
OHA also funded the Indian Prairie Aspen Restoration Project with $10,000 to restore aspen habitat by thinning 51 acres of encroaching conifers and installing fencing to protect 15 acres of aspen. This project will occur in the Ochoco Unit and will benefit elk and mule deer.
Aspen stands provide wallowing areas, lush cover during calving, and a very palatable forage resource. This important habitat type has decreased by as much as 80 percent in Oregon’s Blue Mountains. This project aims to restore aspen habitat in large, high elevation meadows, and increasing and protecting this integral habitat should result in more elk on public land.
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